The Jazz Theory Book

by Mark Levine

There's a Mark Levine book called The Jazz Theory Book. I would suggest getting it and doing two pages a day just to study it and learn to read some basic piano, even if you can only pick out one note at a time. As you work through it you'll notice the way you hear and the way you sing will automatically start to change.”— Esperanza Spalding

Over 500 pages of text and over 750 musical examples!

Written in the language of the working jazz musician, this book is easy to read and user-friendly. At the same time, it is the most comprehensive study of jazz harmony and theory ever published.

The Jazz Theory Book takes the student from the most basic techniques such as chord construction and the II-V-I progression through scale theory, the blues, “I've Got Rhythm” changes, slash chords, the bebop and pentatonic scales, how to read a lead sheet and memorize tunes and a study of reharmonization that is almost a book in itself. Satisfaction guaranteed!

Mark Levine has worked with Bobby Hutcherson, Cal Tjader, Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw, and many other jazz greats.

Endorsements

There's a Mark Levine book called The Jazz Theory Book. I would suggest getting it and doing two pages a day just to study it and learn to read some basic piano, even if you can only pick out one note at a time. As you work through it you'll notice the way you hear and the way you sing will automatically start to change. It's like looking at the world and not knowing it's all blurry — you can make your way through, but then you get glasses and everything gets clearer and clearer. I think that's really important.”
— Esperanza Spalding

[...] I'm really happy to see so many folks (rightly) acknowledging your books and music [...]. As it should be. The information is all there ~ a gift!”
— Joe Locke

This could be the single finest music book of any type I've ever seen. It's certainly the best explanation of the mechanics of jazz, and the amazing depth of the content is matched by the care and accuracy of the presentation. An invaluable resource for all improvising musicians regardless of instrument.”
— Bass Player Magazine

Mark has done it again. The Jazz Theory Book has the clarity that most pedagogical books strive for. This book seems to have left no stone unturned in what one should know about the inner sanctum of jazz theory. The most fruitful information is generally derived from the source and that is the essence of this book. This book is connected to the music of our Jazz Masters. You can't get any better than that. Even the mature musician will find information here. Truly a magnificent accomplishment.”
— Rufus Reid

Mark has done it again and the music world is grateful. This book will help move the understanding of jazz theory and harmony into the 21st century.”
— Jamey Aebersold

Mark Levine has done it again, but this time he has created the most comprehensive and complete theory book I've ever seen. It is really user-friendly and is written in a clear and comfortable style. It has excellent musical examples pertinent to the text and is also very inspiring and gives a lot of practical advice you don't find in most theory books. Again, a great job! Highly recommended.”
— Richie Beirach

As is the case with The Jazz Piano Book, Mark has done a completely thorough job, organizing the material in a very logical and readable manner — highly recommended.”
— Dave Liebman

Just what the doctor ordered. Insightful and very well thought out.”
— Donald Brown

Finally, a book on jazz theory and harmony that is very easy to understand yet still covers in great depth just about all of the basics anyone would need to know in order to get started or, in the case of the more advanced player, wonderful information on areas such as playing “outside,” reharmonization, keyboard fundamentals I wish I'd had this book 40 years ago. I think this is the book every musician should own.”
— Bobby Shew

The Jazz Theory Book should be in every musician's library regardless of the level of their ability.”
— James Moody

Once again Mark Levine has made an invaluable contribution to the field of jazz textbooks. The Jazz Theory Book covers a wide range of very useful material. It is quite thorough and complete. Even better. Mark never loses sight of the fact that you use theory in order to play and compose music. Simply a great book.”
— Jim McNeely

This is the best book on jazz theory I have seen to date. The conversational tone of all the text gives the student the feeling of learning from a friend rather than an authoritarian figure. Great stuff!”
— Ernie Watts